Basic Electrical Seminar Content
- Thread starter Maine Sail
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What I wish I'd known "back then":
1) how marine 12v wiring is different from automotive (different operating environment causes different stresses on the wire and connectors)
2) how marine 120v wiring is different from the home (same as above)
Busting assumptions is half the battle. When I teach the "electrical safety" portion of basic boating, I find most folks don't intuitively know that lamp cord and solid wire isn't "okay" to use on a vessel.
1) how marine 12v wiring is different from automotive (different operating environment causes different stresses on the wire and connectors)
2) how marine 120v wiring is different from the home (same as above)
Busting assumptions is half the battle. When I teach the "electrical safety" portion of basic boating, I find most folks don't intuitively know that lamp cord and solid wire isn't "okay" to use on a vessel.
Being a new boat owner here is what I would like to see. 1) battery maintanace such as don't let batteries discharge more then 50% ect. 2)Safety such as proper fusing at batteries. Something I. Still don't have on my boat because I don't know what to use. 3)List of books and web sites for information on wiring of boats. 4) Proper crimping of connections. 5) not sure how to say this but, the parts to use. Such as terminal blocks the different types and why use then. Or why not use something that is used wrongly frequently Like I said in #2 I haven't fused it yet because I don't know what to use.
For years you could plug a device into your car and it would say the blinker light is out or the coil is bad on cylinder 3. It would be nice to step on my boat and have a readout that says I need to check the connection on the alternator or replace the fuse to the bilge pump. What I'm saying is if its working I really don't know if somethings bad. Knowing how and when to diagnose anything would help.
A key for schematics that have pictures of what those pieces would look like would also be helpful. I've looked for parts on my boat that are represented by an icon on the schematics and have given up because nothing looks relavent.
All the previous posts as well. Could you also explain to my wife that when I have my fingers in the main panel, it's really not a good time for flash photos.
All U Get
A key for schematics that have pictures of what those pieces would look like would also be helpful. I've looked for parts on my boat that are represented by an icon on the schematics and have given up because nothing looks relavent.
All the previous posts as well. Could you also explain to my wife that when I have my fingers in the main panel, it's really not a good time for flash photos.
All U Get
For a basic course: What should be in your tool box, Proper crimping tool and how to use it, how to heat shrink tubing, what all those different colors mean on crimp fittings. how to deal with an electrical emergency like a fire, when to know your limitations when dealing with electrical problems.
Even with a basic course, I think in a one off, two hour session you have to pick something and leave a lot of other stuff out. And you may have to make some basic assumptions, like that the people taking the course know a little about 12v/DC systems. If not, you will have to draw a circuit and explain how it works. After that, you're 20 minutes in, so with the rest of the session:
I'd go with some safety and maintenance topics- or how to not find yourself with no power or burning your boat to the waterline.
Start at the battery, with fusing, connecting, keeping it charged.
Explain how battery switches work. (keeping it simple, assuming no one really even knows what they are)
Explain wire, sizes and how not choosing correct wire and connections results in shorts, fire, calamity.
By the end of the class, participants should feel confident upon returning to their boat (and buying a good book on boat electrical systems) to check for the things that are most likely to cause problems (which you will provide them in a handout).
I'd go with some safety and maintenance topics- or how to not find yourself with no power or burning your boat to the waterline.
Start at the battery, with fusing, connecting, keeping it charged.
Explain how battery switches work. (keeping it simple, assuming no one really even knows what they are)
Explain wire, sizes and how not choosing correct wire and connections results in shorts, fire, calamity.
By the end of the class, participants should feel confident upon returning to their boat (and buying a good book on boat electrical systems) to check for the things that are most likely to cause problems (which you will provide them in a handout).
Maine Sail,
You only have two hours and these are beginners.
I'd keep it simple and marine focused. Where have most people made mistakes in boats you've worked on?
I'd include a handout with books you'd recommend to take their knowledge further.
Best of luck with the course,
Jim
You only have two hours and these are beginners.
I'd keep it simple and marine focused. Where have most people made mistakes in boats you've worked on?
- The battery switch, when and how to use it.
- How to safely plug and un-plug from shore power (I'm very serious).
- Most people don't start with re-wiring the boat. They start with component replacement because something failed. With that in mind:
- The difference between marine connectors and what you find at NAPA.
- Why use ring rather than fork connectors.
- Why use marine grade wiring.
- How to snip off an old connector, and do a proper crimp and seal of a new one.
- When, how and why to use a terminal strip.
- Basic voltage, current and resistance checking with a simple Home Depot multi-meter.
- A simple rule of thumb for choosing wire size for 12vdc circuits.
I'd include a handout with books you'd recommend to take their knowledge further.
Best of luck with the course,
Jim
How to test for potentially fatal and/or damaging voltages and currents also include common errors made when connecting chargers, shore power, gen-sets etc. Difference between AC/DC and how to use a meter to measure. Value of readings with different meter types vs built in panel meters. Correct grounds. How to identify circuit types AC or DC on your boat as installed by MFG or DIY.Past/present color code for wire ID. How and when to isolate a circuit for testing or a fault if necessary. How to draw a basic diagram of your boat and how to verify the same. Touch on placement and operation of protection for electronics: switches, chargers, generators, fuses, solar, circuit, breakers, surge protectors, hot-swapping. Battery type,safety and maintenance. Correct wire /size /type /connectors.
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